Lakeland FL- The (29-2) Jackson Tigers (Jacksonville FL) defeated Gibbs (21-9) 58-45 in the Class 4A State semifinals on Thursday, to move on to face Calvary Christian Academy (23-2) in the championship game on Saturday.
Jackson fell behind early on to Gibbs as Jacob Daniels torched the court knocking down shots and getting to the basket. He had 15 points at halftime. However, Jackson regrouped and had an impressive run to end the half. Kevin Odom was on the spot converting on shots when his teammate found him. Jackson trailed 22-20 at the half.
The second half, Jackson adjusted it’s defense but also ramped up it’s offense. Michael Swift turned it on in the second half converting points in transition and knocking down the big shot when open. He was instrumental in creating his own shot at times as well. Swift finished with 13 points in the game.
As we’ve become accustomed to, the Tiger’s pressure defense flustered Gibbs. Daniels was forced to give up the ball and only scored 6 points in the second half, he finished with 21 points in the game. While young ballers like sophomore guard Jeremiah Wright who showed his ball handling skills, penetrating the Gibbs defense dishing it to players like sophomore Joseph Bargeron for layups proved to be the difference.
It will be Jackson’s third trip to the state championship game in four years for Head Coach James Collins and crew. In 2019, they fell to University. Jackson had a slew of big bodied seniors in their starting lineup, yet were fairly inexperienced on the big stage. In 2020, they returned with dominant defenders, but struggled from the field and couldn’t get over St. Andrews.
Yet now in 2021, this team seems a little different than ones of the past . A team with senior leaders like Kevin Odom, James Morrow, Jaden Brill, Andre Myers, Drayton McGauley, and Stephon Payne. A team built for quickness and shooting around it’s younger players. A team which plays together and is confident. Jackson is truly a team ready for it’s time, and they can seize the opportunity at another state title showdown on Saturday.
